"Time Trial: Julian LaVerdiere's First Solo Museum Exhibition"
2002-12-04 until 2003-02-23
Museum of Contemporary Art, Miami
North Miami, FL, USA

The Museum of Contemporary Art will present the first solo museum exhibition of New York sculptor and conceptual artist Julian LaVerdiere. In this exhibition entitled "Time Trial", LaVerdiere illustrates the paradoxes and contradictions inherent in current social sensibilities by playfully juxtaposing the neo-classical iconography associated with Western imperialism with the symbols of contemporary wartime consumerism.

Among the works in the exhibition is Imperial Dragster – Napoleon Rebuilt, 2002, a sardonic large-scale sculptural work that is a "funny car" hybridization of Visconti’s 1841 design of Napoleon’s monumental red porphyry sarcophagus and Lamborghini’s LM002, a proto-military luxury SUV. As this mobile monument stands on its pedestal, the march of progress is mapped out on a massive illuminated ceiling canopy entitled Firmament – Upon Which Time Has Made Its Mark by Definition, 2002. This 20-foot diameter illuminated world time zone map functions as a giant chronometer as it measures the delay between the scientifically objective and politically subjective understanding of the flow of time. Other related works and drawings by LaVerdiere will also be included in the exhibition.

Julian LaVerdiere states, "I am searching for guidance from heroic and haunting technological developments in the history of invention and exploration. My projects and efforts have focused on the passage of time and humanity’s attempt to comprehend, control and harness it. It has been my interest to bring public attention to uncelebrated technological discoveries, recontextualizing them as representative of our Promethean accomplishments and hubris."

"This manner of historical hyper-texting is not intended as didactic critical commentary or as cautionary tale-telling but rather as inspirational, romantic propaganda to help continue the march of progress that has brought our civilization from the Industrial to the Information Age."

Julian LaVerdiere is one of the creators of New York’s Tribute in Light memorial for the World Trade Center. He was born in the Adirondack Mountains of New York. He holds a BFA degree from The Cooper Union, and an MFA degree in sculpture from Yale University. Julian LaVerdiere currently lives and works in New York City.

Time Trial is organized by MOCA and is curated by Bonnie Clearwater. The exhibition made possible through the generous support of Cindi and Martin Nash; Janet and Robert Liebowitz; Carolee and Nathan Reiber; Millennium Partners, Miami; and Steel Hector & Davis LLP and the Miami-Dade Tourist Development Council. This exhibition has also been made possible through the collaborative assistance and consultation of Paul Miller (DJ Spooky) and Dr. Miklos Pinther, Chief Cartographer of the United Nations. Accommodations provided by Sonesta Hotel and Suites Coconut Grove.

IMAGE:
Laurus Nobilis (Transgenic Laureate), 2000
acrylic, PVC, eurathane agar, aluminum,
electroluminescent wiring, ventricular film, Ultra Light, polyester
102 x 48 x 48 in.
(preliminary study)

Related Links:

Indepth Arts Resources for the State of Florida

Other Important Exhibitions in Florida